'I'm sure we would understand each other,' General Muhoozi says of M23 rebel leader Makenga

Uganda's General Muhoozi Kainerugaba now wants the EAC and African Union peace envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to acknowledge the leadership of M23 rebel leader General Emmanuel Makenga.

In a tweet on Saturday, Kainerugaba questioned why the peace envoy is overlooking Makenga, whom he labeled a great fighter.

Kainerugaba, President Yoweri Museveni's son, added that if he was still the commander of Uganda's land forces he would have already reached out to the rebel group's de-facto leader noting, that he is confident that Makenga and himself would get along.

"If I was still CLF, I would immediately meet General Makenga. He is a great fighter and I am sure we would understand each other. We were ready to talk to Joseph Kony and LRA why not M23?" he posed.

His sentiments come just three weeks after former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his capacity as the EAC facilitator of peace talks in DRC, underscored that any peace talks held between DRC and M23 rebels will only operate under the premise that President Felix Tshisekedi is the rightful ruler of DRC.

"The principles under which I am operating are first that we have a duly elected government of the DRC with its institutions and whatever discussions that we are engaging in are discussions that first and foremost recognise the existence of a legitimate government under the leadership of President Tshisekedi," Kenyatta said in Kinshasa then.

"Secondly, the existence of a constitutional order in DRC must be followed and thirdly a respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of DRC."

He likewise urged the warring factions in the DRC to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

"All groups that currently bear arms should lay those arms down and choose the path of peace through dialogue because there is nothing that can be gained through the barrel of a gun. The people want peace, they are tired of war. Many thousands have died and many more have been internally displaced and unable to conduct their regular activities," he said.